Real Madrid will reportedly be happy to cough up €25 million to sign 21-year-old Brazilian defender Yan Couto from Manchester City.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Yan Couto is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Merengues are in the market for a right-back ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window. And they are willing to shell out €25 million to sign the 21-year-old from Manchester City.
Who is Yan Couto?
Yan Couto spent most of his formative years in his homeland before graduating from the Coritiba youth division. Manchester City snapped him up in July 2020 when he was still in his teens. But the Brazilian international has yet to establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the Etihad.
Instead, the 21-year-old has embarked on three loan spells away from Manchester City, twice at Girona FC. The latest stint has come this season, with the youngster playing his part in the club’s rise to the top of La Liga. Couto has chipped in with two goals and seven assists in 26 outings thus far for Girona.
The young Brazilian will return to Manchester City in the summer. But he will have only twelve months remaining on his contract with the Premier League champions. Such a situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid Keen
Real Madrid’s interest in Yan Couto is understandable, considering Dani Carvajal’s advancing age. The Spanish international is on the wrong side of 30, with his performance levels dropping in recent seasons. In addition, Carvajal’s backups, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho, have entered the final six months of their contracts.
Furthermore, neither Spaniard is good enough to be the undisputed first-choice right-back for Real Madrid. So, it behoves Los Blancos to invest in a right-back, with Lutsharel Geertruida also emerging as a target. But Couto is seemingly now the top target, with Real Madrid ready to pay €25 million to secure his services.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester City will look to integrate the Brazilian international into the first-team squad. If not, a deal worth €25 million might be on the cards, with Real Madrid keen on signing Yan Couto.
We need a replacement for Walker.
So no point Real tapping him up.